Options for Requesting a Refund
AAdvantage Mileage Reinstatement
AAdvantage, Reservations, Baggage, Customer Service Requests
If you need further assistance, please Contact Refunds.
Refundable Electronic or Paper Tickets:
Fully or partially unused refundable tickets may be submitted to American Airlines for possible refund. Many tickets contain fare restrictions that limit their refundable value and require fees and/or penalties to be deducted from any refund of the original ticket.
If your paper/printed ticket passes refund eligibility and you submit the refund request, you will be required to mail in your original coupons to American Airlines at the address below before your request can be processed.
American Airlines
Attention: Passenger Refunds
4000 E. Sky Harbor Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Non-Refundable Tickets:
Nonrefundable tickets generally cannot be refunded. However, exceptions may be available under the following circumstances:
Death of the passenger, immediate family member, or traveling companion.
Schedule changes implemented by American Airlines.
Certain illnesses may be considered if your ticket involves international travel, which includes travel to or from the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico.
Upon request, taxes and fees not imposed by the airline may be refunded if the airline's obligation to remit the tax or fee depends upon use of the ticket for travel. Taxes and fees will not be refunded if the airline's obligation to remit the tax or fee arises from the collection of the tax or fee. All taxes and fees imposed by the United States government fall within this category and are not refundable.
Subject to certain restrictions and fees defined in the rules of the fare, the value of a wholly unused nonrefundable ticket may only be used toward the purchase of a new nonrefundable ticket. Travel on such reissued tickets (or subsequently reissued tickets) must commence no later than one year from the date of issue of the original ticket. The value of an AA nonrefundable fare can only be applied to the value of another AA nonrefundable fare. The value of an AA non-refundable fare cannot be applied to the purchase of another airline refundable/nonrefundable fare.
For partially used tickets, the residual value may be used toward the purchase of a new nonrefundable ticket. The residual value will be the difference between the fare paid and the fare for the transportation actually used as determined by the applicable rules less any fees or penalties defined in the rules of the fare that was purchased. All travel on such reissued tickets (or subsequently reissued tickets) must be completed no more than one year from the first date of travel on the original ticket or sooner if required by the tickets' fare rules.
In any case, the itinerary for any unused or partially used nonrefundable ticket must be canceled before the ticketed departure time of the first unused coupon, or the ticket will lose any remaining value and cannot be used for travel or reissue.
If your nonrefundable paper/printed ticket passes the above eligibility and you submit the refund request, you will be required to mail in your original coupons to American Airlines at the address below before your request can be processed.
American Airlines
Attention: Passenger Refunds
4000 E. Sky Harbor Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Contact our Reservations agents when you are ready to make your new travel plans. They will advise you of the applicable procedures and fees.
Back to TopAmerican Airlines reserves the right to review all refund requests prior to final processing. Please be aware that the website will review all available data and make a commitment for a refund, but that commitment is always subject to additional review by a member of Passenger Refund Services prior to the refund being issued.
Back to TopAmerican Airlines is committed to process refund requests for eligible tickets within 7 business days for credit card purchases and 20 business days for cash purchases. Tickets included in the Customer Service commitment are fully unused and partially used, refundable and non-refundable (paper and electronic) tickets purchased in US currency. Tickets excluded from the commitment are fare adjustments, international tickets, and tickets purchased in international currencies. For credit card refunds, actual time for credit to appear in your account will vary depending on the credit card company and procedures.
Back to TopRefund eligibility can be affected by unforeseen flight cancellations and extenuating circumstances such as natural or manmade disasters. In most cases, flights that have been cancelled due to these circumstances will be logged in our databases and adjustments will be reflected in stated refund eligibility. If your flight was cancelled due to recognized circumstances, we will do our best accommodate your request
Back to TopWe understand that many extenuating circumstances can affect a passenger's need for a refund. If you feel that you have such circumstances associated with your refund request, mail all documentation supporting your request to the address below.
American Airlines
Attention: Passenger Refunds
4000 E. Sky Harbor Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
It's easy to Request a Refund online. In addition you can request a refund:
In person at any American Airlines Airport Ticket Office located within the airports that American serves.
In person at any American Airlines Travel Center located in the cities that American serves.
Via mail to the American Airlines Passenger Refunds department at:
American Airlines
Attention: Passenger Refunds
4000 E. Sky Harbor Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Please allow additional time for processing.
Back to TopAAdvantage mileage reinstatements are not processed online at this time. Members may request reinstatement of AAdvantage miles over the phone with AAdvantage reservations. The AAdvantage miles will be reinstated as applicable and Passenger Refund Services will process any monetary refund due (taxes etc.). AAdvantage award fees or copays are non-refundable. To request a mileage reinstatement, please contact AAdvantage Reservations at 1-800-882-8880.
Back to TopIf you need help regarding AAdvantage award tickets, Reservations, Baggage or Customer Services, click on a link for more information and assistance.
Contact:
For AAdvantage information requests, including questions about award claiming, mileage reinstatements and mileage accrual.
With changes to existing reservations.
For help with missing, delayed or damaged baggage.
With comments or service suggestions on a trip you have completed.
Contacting the appropriate department will help expedite your request.
Back to TopThe U.K. government recently announced the elimination of the Air Passenger Duty (APD) tax for children under the age of 12, traveling in Economy Class departing the U.K. on or after May, 1 2015, for tickets issued on or after December 5, 2014. Consequently, American Airlines is no longer collecting the APD tax on Economy Class tickets for children under the age of 12, departing the U.K. on or after May 1, 2015.
Customers who have already paid the APD Tax for children under the age of 12, booked to depart the U.K. in Economy Class on or after May 1, 2015, for tickets issued before December 5, 2014, are eligible for a refund.
Refund Processing Options
Customers who purchased tickets prior to December 5, 2014 directly through AA Reservations or via aa.com for travel exiting the U.K. on or after May 1, 2015, will be proactively refunded the APD tax.
Travel agencies may refund the APD tax on eligible 001 tickets issued prior to December 5, 2014 using one of the following three options:
1. The issuing agency may issue a new ticket (at the exact same fare without the tax) for the child under the age of 12. Once issued, the agency may then process a refund for the original ticket provided the following required documentation is included:
Required PNR Documentation:
Add the following OSI documentation and original ticket number in the following format:
Required New Ticket Documentation:
The old ticket number must be included in the endorsement box of the new ticket.
2. The issuing agency may contact AA Sales Support or a local AA Reservation office to process the APD tax refund. Please note: If AA processes the refund, AA will reissue the ticket resulting in the travel agency losing control of the ticket for any subsequent changes.
3. The issuing agency or the passenger may wait until travel is completed and submit a request for an APD tax refund post travel via aa.com (non-U.S. travel agencies may submit a request via BSP link).
Additional information
Frequently Asked Questions
